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Cost of Living in Sanford, NC

Population 31,478 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,052
Median home value$245,400
Median household income$57,586

The median rent in Sanford, NC is $1,052/month, 14% lower than the North Carolina median and 26% lower than the U.S. median. The median home value is $245,400, 26% lower than the national median. Households earn a median of $57,586 a year, 20% lower than the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 21.9%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $42,080/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 4.3×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $1,241/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Sanford vs. North Carolina vs. U.S.

SanfordNorth CarolinaU.S.
Median rent$1,052$1,228$1,413
Median home value$245,400$288,900$332,700
Median household income$57,586$72,388$80,734
Homeownership rate53.3%66.6%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher21.6%35.7%35.7%
Poverty rate22.0%13.0%12.5%
Unemployment rate4.4%4.7%5.2%
Work from home8.1%16.3%15.1%
Median age34.739.138.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Sanford, NC?

The median gross rent in Sanford, NC is $1,052 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Sanford, NC?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $42,080 a year in gross income.

Is Sanford, NC expensive to live in?

Rent there is 26% lower than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 4.3 times the median household income.

Other cities in North Carolina

Charlotte, NCRent $1,612 · Income $82,068Raleigh, NCRent $1,572 · Income $85,395Greensboro, NCRent $1,172 · Income $61,515Durham, NCRent $1,508 · Income $81,619Winston-Salem, NCRent $1,087 · Income $59,268Fayetteville, NCRent $1,250 · Income $58,407

Cities with a similar cost of living

Houma, LARent $1,058 · Income $58,194Racine, WIRent $1,033 · Income $57,740Kingsville, TXRent $1,037 · Income $58,148Lynchburg, VARent $1,073 · Income $57,947Johnson City, TNRent $1,023 · Income $57,254Cleveland, TNRent $1,034 · Income $58,559

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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